Lid switch with contact failure detection
US5682772A · kind A · utility
6Cited by
9References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2003/002
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switch for a washing machine lid or the like detects welded load contact through an auxiliary set of contacts which shunt the load when the first set of contacts should be open and thus provide a high-current path when those contacts are welded. A series fusible link mechanically activates a set of disconnect contacts which disconnects the washing machine motor. The resulting switch has a single operator that may be collapsible to be self-adjusting permitting the switch to snap in place without the need for a separate adjustment step in the manufacturing process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.